Scope for heavy recoil

[JMA]

I have a Weatherby 338-378 in need of a new scope. Has eaten 2 of them in <50 rounds only used for hunting so it doesn't get fired much.
Looking for 2.5 power at most on low end and 10 to 12 at most on top end. I like a large field of view.
Any recommendations on a scope that withstand the recoil and cost less then $2k

 

[dmoran]

Leupold, Vortex, and NF are my suggestion.

• NF are built like tanks
• Vortex and Leupold reputations to service any issue that may arise, is top notch.
• All 3 are USA companies

 

[JMA]

Leupold was one the scopes that did't hold up and I also had a Leupold shotgun scope on my slug gun that didn't last
I don't have confidence in them to handle heavy recoil
Am thinking About the Nightforce NSX 2.5-10 x 42 wanted to hear what others thought.
Want something to hold up not test a companies warranty service.

 

[rjtfroggy]

Check SWFA 3-15 supposed to be good up to 50 cal. Only thing I think they only come in mil-dot. Prices are very reasonable.
https://www.swfa.com/?utm_source=ad...swfa&utm_campaign=bing&matchtype=e&query=swfa

 

[Papa Charlie]

I have two Vortex and though I don't shoot anything over a .308 Win. the POA hasn't changed in hundreds of rounds and transports.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Ironically enough, I know a guy with an unbraked 338-378 that has an 8.5-25x50 VX3 LR installed it on. I think he's on the 4th or 5th barrel now, and no trouble with the scope. Even shot it on a state arms 50 cal a few years back lol.

To your point though, I think an NF fits the bill perfectly. I'd trust a Vortex Razor Gen 2 to the recoil, but that's way more mag than you're looking for. I can't say the same for their lower tier models.

Specifically NF has two scopes that look pretty good. The 'classic' NXS would work very well, but the glass is getting a bit long in the tooth. Their new NX8 has a 2-20x50 that just falls into your price point. Newer ED glass in there too. I've looked through one, and could tell a difference between it and my NXS.

 

[Papa Charlie]

What ever you decide on, make sure it has sufficient adjustment for the distance you plan on shooting. Too many don't.

 

[Racebannon3855]

I have a 2-7 Leupold on my 6-3/4# 338 Win Mag in a Buehler Mount with over 500 rounds through it. Never been out of the rings. My 300 Win Mag has over 600 through it with the current 3.5-10 Leupold. I did have a 3.5-10 break on a smaller caliber rifle, anything is possible.

Have a friend that was firing his 338 from a lead sled alot and he broke lots of stuff, no free recoil, something has to give.

Did Leupold tell you what happened to the scopes? Did they have any suggestions? I am putting together a 35 Whelen on an '03 Springfield and have a 2-7 Leupold for it. It would be nice to hear what you find out.

 

[cem]

My own choice would be a fixed 6X power Schmidt & Bender shipping as a 6x42. First focal plane just might be more rugged. My observation is that fixed scopes as well as lighter scopes stand recoil better. Granted recent experience suggests Leupold is spreading itself too thin but I'd be tempted to try a Leupold 4 or 6 X32 at the price.

For a variable I would certainly go Night Force first. In the lightest scope in the line that came close to meeting my needs. Then again I'm an Idaho chauvinist. For a bet my life on it variable on a hard kicker I might be forced to spend more than $2K.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Check SWFA 3-15 supposed to be good up to 50 cal. Only thing I think they only come in mil-dot. Prices are very reasonable.
https://www.swfa.com/?utm_source=ad...swfa&utm_campaign=bing&matchtype=e&query=swfa

It's a Tank!

 

[JMA]

Ironically enough, I know a guy with an unbraked 338-378 that has an 8.5-25x50 VX3 LR installed it on. I think he's on the 4th or 5th barrel now, and no trouble with the scope. Even shot it on a state arms 50 cal a few years back lol.

To your point though, I think an NF fits the bill perfectly. I'd trust a Vortex Razor Gen 2 to the recoil, but that's way more mag than you're looking for. I can't say the same for their lower tier models.

Specifically NF has two scopes that look pretty good. The 'classic' NXS would work very well, but the glass is getting a bit long in the tooth. Their new NX8 has a 2-20x50 that just falls into your price point. Newer ED glass in there too. I've looked through one, and could tell a difference between it and my NXS.

The first scope was a VX3 barely got if sighted and a load worked up and it would not hold a group 2 weeks before a trip
Have a trio of VX6's and love them but wouldn't think of putting them on a heavy hitter.
Also I have seen to many problems in Leuplod vx3 and cheaper scopes in the last 10 years.

 

[JFrank]

I use a 3-15 x42 SWFA SFP Moa reticle, I’ve have beat the hell out of these scopes without any problems at all, gauranteed for life....
BTW they are rated for up to 50 cal

 

[natdscott]

How cool and sexy does it need to be?

Steel Weaver K and T scopes carry quite a reputation on African rifles.

SUPER uncool by modern standards. SUPER saveyourassinabind. Some have been sitting on their heavy rifle for decades without losing a zero or requiring service. Steel, carbide, and heavy springs will do that for you...

Other than that, the Zenith 1.5-6x 42mm I had was one awesome scope. I think they’d stand up to more than you.

 

[cuznguido]

I have been beating on the SWFA scopes for years with boomers that recoil about as hard you can imagine. Always use the ones with the rear focus adjustment. Never had one fail. 30-378, 338 LM, 50 BMG and others.

 

[338 dude]

Leupold was one the scopes that did't hold up and I also had a Leupold shotgun scope on my slug gun that didn't last
I don't have confidence in them to handle heavy recoil
Am thinking About the Nightforce NSX 2.5-10 x 42 wanted to hear what others thought.
Want something to hold up not test a companies warranty service.

nightforce, I have two .A 5.5 x 22 x 56 nsx on a 6.5 x 284 Norma and a 5 x 25x56 atac r on a 338 Lapua magnum never had a problem ever!

 

[Zero333]

If I had to testify which scope I thought has the best track record for being tough and rugged,.. I'd have to say NIGHTFORCE

 

[Prose]

You want tough and cheep get a Burris full field. They have a locking reticle that will not move under any circumstance.

A fixed power scope generally will not fail as easily as a variable.

 

[deadeye4]

i have some burris xtr's on sale on another board in which I'm a moderator,i have a guy that will post these here sometime this weekend.

http://hanksmessageboard.freeforums.net/
sign in to see buy sell

in our mz smokeless high power world we are launching mz bullets @3000fps+ 300gn & one of my xtr 3x12x50 had 1500 of these rounds without fail-we have to have tough scopes's.

might save you some big money too!

looks like this might fit your needs. take a look you can pm me here if you want.

 

[bluestreakrem]

Ironically enough, I know a guy with an unbraked 338-378 that has an 8.5-25x50 VX3 LR installed it on. I think he's on the 4th or 5th barrel now, and no trouble with the scope. Even shot it on a state arms 50 cal a few years back lol.
To your point though, I think an NF fits the bill perfectly. I'd trust a Vortex Razor Gen 2 to the recoil, but that's way more mag than you're looking for. I can't say the same for their lower tier models.
Specifically NF has two scopes that look pretty good. The 'classic' NXS would work very well, but the glass is getting a bit long in the tooth. Their new NX8 has a 2-20x50 that just falls into your price point. Newer ED glass in there too. I've looked through one, and could tell a difference between it and my NXS.

While heavy recoil doesn't bother me too much..................The thought of shooting an un-braked 338-378 makes me cringe. I have a 30-378 (for Elk hunting) which I have shot only three times without it's brake installed just to see how POI changed without the brake. I hope I never have to do that again as it was painful !

Back to the original poster question..............
Any scope capable of withstanding that amount of recoil will be worth the money you will have to spend but you should be able to find one in your stated price range. You need to consider some things that will help the scope survive. It physics. Going with a single fixed power scope will be inherently more robust due to the lack of guts in the scope that can be dislodge due to recoil. Aside from a wide field of view........That's one reason why you often see only single power scopes on African guns such as the 416 Remington. If they are not fixed powers scopes they will be low variable types such as a 1-4 variable. Less mass means less inertia energy to move. Also going with small lens diameters will help the scope survive for the same reason.
I have a Leica Ultravid model 4.5-14x42mmF on my 30-378 Weatherby and it has survived about 75 rounds, but the brake has been installed on all but three rounds and it only kicks about like a 30-06.

 

[billshehane]

Have a 14lb. custom smokeless powder .45 cal. ML using 83gns. of IMR 4198 & a 250gn. Hornady SST at 3200fps. ( DO NOT use this load unless your breach is at least 1.350"s for 5 or so inches) . Used a NF 2.5-10X42 for 4 years both testing and taking 3 bucks in excess of 300yds. Not one problem and maybe in excess of 500rds. fired. Have 2 more smokeless ML's, both lighter and more recoil with the same scope and no problems.
Just my luck and hope this helps a lot of trial and expense killing scopes-- which I have done several times with lesser scopes because they were lighter.
Bill Shehane